Cosmopolitan is an international fashion magazine for women. As The Cosmopolitan it was first published in 1886 in the United States as a family magazine, it was later transformed into a literary magazine and eventually became a women's magazine in the late 1960s. Also known as Cosmo, its content as of 2011 included articles on women's issues, relationships, sex, health, careers, self-improvement, celebrities, fashion, and beauty. Published by Hearst Magazines, Cosmopolitan has 64 international editions, is printed in 35 languages and is distributed in more than 110 countries.

Cosmopolitan's circulation continued to decline for another decade until Helen Gurley Brown became chief editor in 1965 and remodeled the magazine as New Cosmopolitan and re-invented it as a magazine for modern single career women.[11] In 1967, the magazine reclaimed the name Cosmopolitan. The magazine eventually adopted a cover format consisting of a usually young female model (in recent years, an actress, singer or another prominent female celebrity), typically in a low cut dress, bikini or some other revealing outfit.

The magazine set itself apart by frankly discussing sexuality from the point of view that women could and should enjoy sex without guilt. The first issue under Helen Gurley Brown featured an article on the (then new) birth control pill.